Basketball in the SEC is a different beast entirely. Honestly, if you walked into the Moody Center last night expecting a standard mid-week game, you were in for a massive shock.
The Texas Longhorns score yesterday wasn't just a number on a scoreboard; it was a 80-64 statement win over a No. 10 ranked Vanderbilt team that hadn't lost a single game all season. Until they met the Horns.
Texas came out swinging. They didn't just win; they dismantled an undefeated opponent. It’s the kind of game that makes you rethink exactly where this team is headed under Rodney Terry.
The Numbers That Defined the Night
Let’s talk about Matas Vokietaitis. The guy was a force of nature in the paint. He finished with 22 points, and honestly, Vanderbilt just didn't have an answer for his size and touch near the rim. He set the tone early, scoring 12 in the first half alone.
But it wasn't a one-man show. Not even close.
Tramon Mark is quickly becoming the "big game hunter" for this roster. He dropped 21 points, with 16 of those coming in a massive second-half surge. When the game was tight—and it was, with Texas leading by just five at the break—Mark hit back-to-back threes that basically sucked the air out of the Vanderbilt bench.
Key Player Performance Breakdown
- Matas Vokietaitis: 22 points, dominant interior presence.
- Tramon Mark: 21 points, 4-of-7 from beyond the arc.
- Dailyn Swain: 14 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists. (Nearly a triple-double, basically everywhere at once).
- Chendall Weaver: Provided the spark and defensive intensity that kept the energy high in Austin.
Vanderbilt’s Duke Miles had 21, and Tyler Tanner chipped in 17, but it wasn't enough to overcome a Texas defense that held the Commodores to a miserable 26.7% shooting from the field in the second half.
Why This Win Is Different
We've seen Texas play well before, but this was different. It’s back-to-back wins over Top 25 opponents now. After taking down No. 13 Alabama last Saturday, there was some talk that it might have been a fluke. This win over an undefeated No. 10 Vandy team kills that narrative.
The defense was the story.
Vanderbilt is known for their three-point shooting. They hit 8 of 15 in the first half. They were on fire. Then, the second half happened. Texas adjusted, stayed attached to shooters, and Vandy went 1-for-10 from deep in the final twenty minutes. That is how you close out a top-tier opponent.
Looking at the Bigger SEC Picture
Texas is now 11-6 overall and 2-2 in SEC play. That .500 conference record doesn't look flashy until you realize they just played through a gauntlet.
The schedule doesn't get any easier, but the confidence in that locker room has to be at an all-time high. When you have a guy like Dailyn Swain flirting with a triple-double and a veteran like Tramon Mark shooting over 47% from three in conference play, you're a problem for anyone.
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The Arch Manning Factor and Recruiting News
While the hardwood was heating up, the football world hasn't been quiet. Yesterday, news broke that Texas added Wake Forest transfer Melvin Siani to the offensive line. It’s a huge get for Steve Sarkisian as he tries to build a wall around Arch Manning for the 2026 season.
Siani joins Jonte Newman (the Texas A&M transfer) in what looks like a total overhaul of the trenches. Between the basketball team's resurgence and the football team's portal wins, it’s a good time to be in Austin.
What’s Next for the Longhorns?
No rest for the weary. Texas stays at the Moody Center this Saturday, January 17, for a massive showdown against Texas A&M. The "Lone Star Showdown" is back, and with the way Texas is playing, tickets are going to be impossible to find.
Vanderbilt, meanwhile, has to go home and host No. 19 Florida. Their perfect season is over, and they have the Longhorns to thank for that.
If you’re tracking the Texas Longhorns score yesterday, keep an eye on the shooting splits. Texas hit 53% from the floor and 86% from the free-throw line. If they keep shooting like that, they aren't just an NCAA tournament team—they’re a second-weekend threat.
Immediate Takeaways for Fans
- Watch the Perimeter: Texas’s ability to shut down the three-point line in the second half won them this game.
- Monitor the Bigs: If Vokietaitis continues to demand double-teams, it opens everything up for the guards.
- The Moody Advantage: The crowd of over 11,000 was a factor. That home-court advantage is real in the SEC.
Keep an eye on the injury report heading into the A&M game, but for now, enjoy the fact that Texas just knocked off one of the last remaining unbeatens in college basketball.
Next Step: Check the local Austin ticket exchanges early Friday morning if you’re trying to get into the Moody Center for the A&M game on Saturday; prices are expected to spike after this Vanderbilt win.